Temple Square in the Spring

Like I said before, I spent the beginning of the year laying on the couch, keeping the kids cooped up. Once we got back from Hawaii and got back on our time schedule, I tried to make it up to them a little bit.

Enter my friend Heidi, who is the best at doing fun things and planning fun things and then inviting us to join. She invited us to go with them down to SLC and see the flowers at temple square. It was so fun to get the kids together and see the beautiful temple grounds. I want this tree in my yard!

We took the kids into the visitors center to see the Christus and they loved that. Then we made them take a million pictures, which was their favorite. Aren't they the cutest though?

After we checked out every tulip, we headed over to City Creek for lunch. It was nothing short of a 3-ring circus with 5 kids, but Jeremy got to join us, so it was all worth it. Then we rewarded their poor behavior with the dinosaur play place. Who am I kidding? That was to reward our super mom status after eating with 5 kids.

We always love adventuring with the Allen family. We'd be bored without them!

24

Will I ever get over the fact that I title my posts one number and then shout hooray! hooray! I'm (insert one number higher than title's number) this week! ?? I really don't think so. Oh and just in case you're just a little bit confused like my brain tends to be, I am 25 weeks HUZZAH! You know, and all that. Being pregnant is starting to feel like not being pregnant, in that I have accepted my new weird body and am just going with it, like normal. It's nice to be at peace with my body again, especially after 6 months of unrest.

I think we've finally for real settled on a name and I really am going to tell you it tomorrow (even though almost everyone on the planet knows it already), because, of course, it has to make it's official blog debut for me to be taken seriously, am I right? Also, please keep in mind that I change my mind almost daily, so when she pops out and I write a post saying something along the lines of "We're proud to announce the arrival of Genesis Geneva Ruesch" please don't point out that 3 months ago I said her name would be [insert name here] and that you liked that much better because honestly, you'll hurt my feelings. BAD...and we all know that I'm not that consistent to begin with.

All of last week I've had a ton of pregnancy related thoughts bouncing around in my head. Unfortunately, my fingers can't articulate those words and thus less posting. It's very exciting things about staying at home and quitting jobs and hormones and the sort. I know exactly what I want to say, I just don't know how to type it. I've written it and deleted it about 10 times. So you may or may not know my reasoning behind quitting my job after she gets here. I really want it to happen, but I'm just not sure.

As far as the actual pregnancy is going, I'm feeling pretty dang great. b.rue is kicking up a storm. She's still scared of the dark abyss that is my actual middle abdomen. She still prefers to nestle deep down south, unless I mess with her too much. In that case she shacks up diagonally against my right hip bone and down onto my bladder. She does not like to be told what to do. It's fine. Whatever. My emails tell me she weighs about 1.5-2 lbs, meaning that I will be subtracting that from my total weight gain.

Today, I found out that I still cannot handle caffeine like a champ and that it makes my thoughts run 2000 mph and my hands jittery. To make things more fun for yourself you could read this post like I'm talking in my quickest fast voice. It will make it like I'm reading it directly to you. I also know that I'm an awful mother for subjecting my unborn child to caffeine, but honestly I've had it a total of 4 times while pregnant. Fingers crossed she'll make it through. Oh, and my ankles have been a little more forgiving and haven't swelled up on me as much as they were last week.

I had someone ask about b.rue's room and if it's done or not. I had a slight panic attack because honestly, I haven't done a single thing. I'm hoping this weekend of next we'll get the queen bed out of there (I'm pretty sure I've been hoping for that for the last 5 weekends, but to no avail.) and I can begin painting. I picked out a paint sample, slapped some up on the wall as a tester, and approved. It's going to be so fun painting a super light color over over resident circus stripes. Other than that I'm shooting for August, maybe September. Babies don't need 100% completed rooms, right?

I'm thinking 2 more things and then we'll close for the day. First, I'm reading this parenting book that I'm totally enamored with, it's called "Bringing Up Bebe". I've never really loved the idea of parenting books because they overwhelm me and make me feel like an inadequate parent, and I'm not even a parent yet! But I love everything about this book so far and plan on purchasing my own copy and making it my baby bible. I love it that much.

Two, I'm really bad at writing posts that are relevant to the attached pictures. A couple of the pictures that I have included are from Friday night. The other is of my brother is his ugly- a henna tats that he let his little girlfriends draw all over him. Our friends, Scott and Mary, had a bunch of our friends over for dinner and a hang out. Basically our favorite thing to do on the weekend. We don't see these people and their cute kids nearly enough. The best part though? We found out Scott and Mary are expecting a little beginning of January! We couldn't be more excited for them!

23

Week 23 was a good one. It was almost extra nice because I had a few people ask me how far along I was and I couldn't quite remember. Come to find out, I was thinking 22 weeks, when I was actually 23, and am now 24, it makes the waiting a little less agonizing. I've been feeling more tired than I had in the last few weeks, but I swear to you it's because she's going to a gargantuan growth spurt. The week before I hadn't felt a sing movement above my hip bones, how's that for a low rider? Then lo, and behold, she finally started to feel a little cramped and has moved north. As I type this she's doing her morning step aerobics on my right side, just around my belly button. It's her way of greeting the day. Last night if I pushed hard enough (hopefully that's not bad?) I could actually feel where she was, and not just kind of, but some kind of bum/head/elbow/knee. I loved it and I'm pretty sure she didn't. The more I poked and prodded, the more she migrated to my right hip bone, and that doesn't feel so great. We have a feisty one on our hands. Other than that little disagreement, we're golden.

Over the past few weeks I'm also finding myself getting bored out of my mind. J.rue has been working late and I get an hour of interrupted reading time on le bus, so once I get home I don't totally feel the need to relax. I need to be busy in a bad way, and I think j.rue agrees. I'm a little pathetic when he gets home, as in clingy and needy, which honestly honestly honestly, is not like me at all. The poor boy needs some unwinding time, and I have not been obliging. So, for his sake and mine I've started a list of house projects that need to get done and I got a small part-time job with a friends company this weekend that I'll be starting soon. Thank the stars above.

On Saturday we went mini golfing and snow cone eating with our friends, Jake and Heidi, and their baby (my baby's future, bf) Holden. He's just the cutest little squirt. I lost terribly and horribly at the golf, of course. Jake and Heidi schooled both of us, badly. So, being the losers we bought the winners some shaved ice and all was well. After they came over to our house and the boys did what they do best: xbox and the girls (and Holden) just chatted. Heidi is one of those friends that I could talk to for about a million hours. We're so alike, even in looks. Throughout our first year up at the U people were constantly asking if we were sisters. Technically, I say we are. Just because. Soul sistas, ya know?

See? Just the cutest! On Sunday J.rue took a stab at his new calling at church, we'll just say it involves 5 year olds and boogers. Later that evening we went up to eat at my grandparents. My grandma made her signature meal, pot roast, potatoes, and about 1,000 different kinds of veggies from her garden. We were all pleasantly stuffed for rest of the evening. Apprently, there was also some important basketball game on last night that the boys just had to watch. So after dinner was cleaned up and desserts were dishes everyone migrated downstairs to watch the game. My grandma and I opted to watch a PBS murder mystery upstairs instead, much more entertaining. I really am blessed with some of the most amazing grandparents, especially my grandma. Those little moments that we get, just the two of us, are treasured and remind me just how much I am loved.

We did have quite to event last night after we got home, but I think that's a blog post in and of itself, so I'll save it for another day. Let's just say we're prepping for some babies over at Ruesch Manor.

18

This week is the week! I can't believe I'm only 4 days away from finding out who will be joining our family. I'm all for surprises Let's be honest, I hate surprises (unless it's a brand spankin' new car with one of those big magnetic bows on top or a trip to Greece) and there is no way I could wait 9 months to find out if one of our little Rues was a little boy or girl. It's just the planner inside of me. J.rue asked what I wanted for Mothers Day and I told him that I wanted to make a beeline to Baby Gap after our appointment on Thursday and pick out an outfit for rue. He rolled his eyes and said we could do that anyway, so I'm still thinking about presents. Maybe a pregnant lady wrap around pillow? Sleep does not come as easily these days. Again, I'm sure that's something he'll say I could get anyway, because no one likes a sleep deprived pregnant wife, I'm sure, but clothes and such aren't sounding very appealing right now.

So, I'm putting up a poll on the left, just up a little. I'd like to know what the general public is guessing. I know that  99% of you actually could care less, but polls are fun right? Do it for me? Please. And thanks.

Milestone: I'm 97.6548% sure that I felt little rue move last night. I even made Jeremy stop our prayer to tell him. Sorry about that. So, I know what I'll be doing each evening from now on. My heart burst just a little bit when it happened and I'm sure that I'll never be the same.

Up to this point my times exercising are still at a solid 4, my arms are my proof, oi. But, don't worry that my exercise DVD is in the xbox and my work-out clothes are out  on the couch ready to roll. This drought really does need to end.

Saturday, I got to spend a good couple hours with one of my besties from high school, Brooke, who is starting her own eye lash extension business. You can find her page of FB here or on her blog here. You should totally schedule an appointment. She did such a great job, and even better was the long uninterrupted chat sesh that went down. It needs to happen much more often, okay Brooke? Here are the results, I'm in love. Plus, it takes my make-up application time down from 8 minutes to maybe 3. What more could a girl ask for?

We spend Saturday night with our regulars, James, Melinda and Brookie, and visited Boondocks and (tried) to have a fire. We actually did, and we roasted some delicious marshmallows, but it was quite windy in Kaysville, so the fun was cut short after 2 chairs were blown into the fire. It was quite the ordeal. We just love them to the ends of the earth (J,M&B that is - the wind can suck it).

Sunday was family pictures with my side. We'll just say it involved lots of shades of uncoordinated green and wind. So much wind.

Also, during church I got to hold the sweetest new little baby and it finally hit me that I'll actually have one before the year is over. Little rue will be that small and that sweet. Okay, I still can't actually imagine it. It doesn't seem real. Only during tiny moments like that. It just seems like I'm getting fatter and perpetually not feeling at the top of my game. I pray every night for things to go well.

Thursday you guys! 

THIS POST CONTAINS LOTS OF MY OPINIONS

1. I love these two friends, and I have since 6th grade. It makes me sad that we can't see each other as often, but it's one of those good friendships that we can pick-up where we left off months ago. Plus, look at that adorable baby on my lap. If that isn't an excuse to get together more often, I don't know what is. I love you love Brooke and Jaclyn!

2. I've found some very good reading as of late in the form of blogs. Usually, I just find bucket loads of crap that I don't need, but obviously do because so and so from somewhere said that it's utterly and completely an essential. The following are actually really good reads from some really good writers:

- Deciding if you are an abstainer or a moderator and then how to use that to your advantage during the month of evil holiday treats. I've decided that I'm naturally drawn to moderation,  except then I forget how to moderate and I go insane, then all of a sudden 12 cookies are missing from the cooling rack. SO, I need to be an abstainer, because I'm pretty sure I'd be a happier girl if I didn't make or partake of those evil treats. I don't even like sugary foods that much. It's a mental thing.

- These two are about sex, something that seems to me, mostly taboo, but it shouldn't be! I'm married and I have sex. There. I said it. Are we all shocked? Nope, didn't think so. The first post is about lube. I know a cringed a little too, but what is a blog for if not for sharing our best tips and tricks? Her blog is actually one, if not my #1, favorite blog to read. She is such an amazing person, plus she has the cojones to talk about sex. The second is "Five Reasons You Should Have Sex With Your Husband Every Day" It was refreshing and honestly, motivating. I know I can do much better at making my man feel loved. So, why not? You know? If you're married, have lots of sex. HUZZAH!

- This one is a lighter take on personal struggle, like setting your alarm form 5:30, but always getting up at 6:30. Can I get an amen? If you're struggling with anything of this sort, give it a read, it's a quick one.

-And the last: Choosing Between Two Rights. My mind was a little bit blown after reading this and actually this one come to think of it. I felt empowered. I've always felt that LDS women are and forever will be put in this box. We WILL have children, we WILL stay at home, we WILL be good a crafting AND cooking AND cleaning AND canning AND large callings AND anythingandeverythingelsethatisexpectedofyou. Honestly, I've kind of resented that. I hate being told how I should live my life. The funny thing is though, I want to have babies. I want to stay at home and teach them. I think it's one of the most important things I will do while I'm on this earth. I want to eat dinner with my family every night (be it store bought or homemade) and I even want to wash j.rue's unders. However, I will never make homemade Christmas presents for the whole Relief Society and when asked to bring dinner to a family, they will either get Cafe Rio or pizza. I also plan on getting my masters degree and going back to work at the appropriate time.  My life choices are made very carefully with the guidance and direction from my Heavenly Father and my husband. As long as they're both happy with me, I think I'll do okay. ::Stepping down from soapbox::

3. Switching from one heavy topic to another...I've found the BEST yogurt fruit combo ever! I don't remember the brand but it's some kind of vanilla honey greek yogurt with gobs of raspberries. It makes my heart sing, especially after trying to ingest plain greek yogurt. "Just throw in a handful of berries to sweeten." Lies! The berries just make it taste like you are eating berry flavored throw-up. Plain yogurt of any kind should stuff it.

4. The thought of modern medicine makes me jump for joy. Especially after witnessing the lady cramps that I did on the way home yesterday. It was ridiculous. I was hunched over literally yelling. All the way home. How does this tie in with modern medicine? Let me tell you. Obviously, I have a very low pain threshold (or high, depending on how bad my cramps really are -- maybe they're legendary?) I'm am so thankful that when I go into labor I will be able to have someone pump me with drugs to the point where I can't move my own legs. Heaven. Right there. A little part of me has always thought that maybe I would want to try going all natural. I like the idea of being totally connected with my body. But, when I'm really honest with myself, I want to still be married and have my family love me when I walk out of the hospital, baby in tow.

I hate ending on 4, but I think that's enough for today. Have a good one folks!

Digressing from a Funk

You know when you're kind of in a funk, not quite happy but not sad really. Just bla.

I've been in one since Sunday, yes Sunday is when this bad boy moved in. My poor husband bears all the brunt of my funks, poor boy. I feel like today it's finally moving out and I'm finally moving on from it. How's that for dramatic?

I thought I'd share a couple of the things that have gotten me out of this dramatic funk of mine. You know, just in case you fall into a dramatic funk anytime soon. Happens to the best of us right?

#1 Run into a lovely friend that you haven't seen in ages. Mine is Heidi. You can't have mine, but I bet you do have an old friend that you have been neglecting. Again, happens to the best of us.

#2 Listen to THIS song, because I promise that it will make you happy every.single.time. If it doesn't then I can't help you. Hey Jude is my ultimate pick up song -- I can't tell you how many times I've belted this in my car on the way to work...on the way home...in the shower. You get the idea.

#3 Take a bubble bath with with a bath bomb or a bubble bar...or what the heck, throw both in!

They make you're water sparkly, your skin soft, and make YOU feel like you're a princess in heaven. We all deserve to be pampered like princesses, especially during a funk. Oh, it also helps if you can watch a couple episodes of Cougar Town too while you soak your troubles away.

#4 Watch hilarious YouTube videos. The following is especially funny if you've had a rough and tumble run-in with your arch nemesis treadmill lately. I'm not the only one who considers the treadmill to be my arch nemesis, do I?

#5 And finally, last but not least, go and kiss your husband, significant other, mother, brother, or dog. Show them some love and remember that they've been putting up with your crazy funk antics and still love you none the less. How lucky are you?